Sound-receiving earpiece



April 12 1927.

H. J. MATHIEU SOUND RBQEIVING EARPIECE Filed F eb.l6, 1925 ATTORNEY Patented 'Apr. 12, 1921.

, UNITED STATES HARRY J. MATHIEU, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SOUND-RECEIVING EARPIECE.

Application filed February of, are for application against the exterior of the ear, the user of the receiver generally trying to place it directly and centrally over the canal of the car. In this position best results are attained, and sound leakage, so to speak, reduced to a minimum. Today, the use of radio head phones is quite general in homes and elsewhere, and efficient hear- I ing is accomplished only when there is absolute quietness about. This degree of quietness is unreasonable to expect at all times, especially if children are in the house, hence, I have set about to perfect an earpiece for phones that will allow normal conditions to prevail, 'and at the same time permit one to use the head phones with an assurance that the degree of hearing will be highly eflicient regardless of the surrounding conditions.

Therefore, my chief objectis the provision of an earpiece of the above character, having means to receive and'concentrate all telephone sounds to the canal of the ear, and to the exclusion of all surrounding sounds.

Another object is to provide the device with a safety seal in conjunction with the sound seal.

Another object is that the sound seal shall be easily and safely applicable to the canal.

of the ear.

And a further object is that the device may be combined with any telephone receiver and form a part thereof.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction, form and arrangement of parts. The accompanying sheet of drawings, formingv a part of this specification, illustrates my invention, and what I claim as new, is particularly pointed out in the appended claim following this specification.

In said drawings:

Figurel is a view of a receiver having my invention applied thereto. The latter and the earpiece are in central section.

Fig. 2 is a face view of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows the invention in section and applied directly to the threads of the re:

Fig. 4 is a view in central section of my 16, 1925. Serial No. 9,5Q1.

earpiece having the sealing parts thereof of a different material; and

Fig. 5 is a view of the phone in service. The invention is in heavy lines and in section, and its central tube is turned and suitably seated in the canal of the ear.

I will now describe the invention in detail with reference to the above figures, wherein the numeral 6 indicates, in this instance, a radio receiver having the customary diaphragm 7 held thereto by the screw cap or earpiece 8. 9 is a portion of the head band and 10 the usual cords carrying the radiant energy to the receiver.

In Figs. 1 and 2, 11 is my earpiece, and it consists of a molded rubber cap having a central tube 12 cast therewith. The earpiece is stretched to position over the cap 8.

In Fig. 3 the tube 12 is also formed as a part of the body of the earpiece, while in Fig. 4 the tube His of suitable flexible rubber adapted to be stretched over the holding nipple 15 of the earpiece 16. The outer edge of the latter earpiece is recessed for the reception of a ring of soft rubber 17 or the like, which I desire to project beyond the usual concave surface 18, to form a cushion and more or less yielding safety seal for the device when it is in contact with the ear in service. A better seal is formed with the ring than without it.

The tube 19 of Fig. 5 is preferably of molded rubber having similar ball ends 20; one end is adapted to be squeezed into the ball socket 21 of the earpiece and the other end for insertion in the canal 22 of the ear 23.

In each instance, the tube is of such shape, size and diameter as to conveniently enter the canal of the ear, and project from the face 24 of the safety seal a predetermined distance to limit the depth of insertion of the tube in the canal. This depth of course must be such as not to cause injury to the ear, but to be just sufficient for a comfortable seating and sealing therein and as shown at 25.

Having thus illustrated and described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon in the United States, is the following:

An attachment for a phone receiver comprising a cap of resilient material having a concave-convex surface and havin a major diameter adapting it to be snappe over and to grip the earpiece of the receiver, and having an apertured nipple integrally formed 1 therewith and adapted to enter the canal of the auditors ear when the receiver is placed to the ear; said attachment being constituted as a unitary piece of soft rubber.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my si nature.

HARRY J. MAT U. 

